Deformable projectile and target having a variable opening

ABSTRACT

Game apparatus for playing a target game including a target member having a variably sized target opening and projectiles of unitary construction having deformable leg members which quickly resume their original positions upon release of an applied force to flip the projectile vertically and cause it to move in a horizontal direction.

United States Patent Marvin 1. Glass;

Jeffrey D. Breslow, both of Chicago, Ill. 81 1,509

Mar. 28, 1969 Oct. 12, 197 1 Marvin Glass & Associates Chicago, Ill.

Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee DEFORMABLE PROJECTILE ANDTARGET HAVING A VARIABLE OPENING 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 273/95 R, 273/106 R, 273/102 R, 46/129 Int. Cl A63b 71/00 Fieldof Search 273/95,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,329,201 1/ 1920 Neydhart46/ 129 1,542,063 6/ 1925 Knight 273/105 2,886,321 5/1959 Tarte 273/1052,889,830 6/1959 Raymond 2/300 2,918,283 12/1959 Marschalk 273/15Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin SiskindAttorneys-James F. Coffee and Gerald M. Newman ABSTRACT: Game apparatusfor playing a target game ineluding a target member having a variablysized target opening and projectiles of unitary construction havingdeformable leg members which quickly resume their original positionsupon release of an applied force to flip the projectile vertically andcause it to move in a horizontal direction.

DEFORMABLE PROJECTILE AND TARGET HAVING A VARIABLE OPENING Thisinvention relates in general to games. In particular, this invention isdirected to target games of the type wherein a projectile is launched orotherwise projected into a target member.

Games such as tiddlywinks, wherein, disk shaped projectiles are snappedor flipped into a target container by means of other disks or devices,are well known in the art. These games typically employ projectiles andseparate snapping devices for launching the projectiles into the targetapparatus. Also, tar get containers for these games typically comprise acuplike receptacle having a fixed size target opening.

The game apparatus of the invention comprises a number of unitaryprojectiles which do not require separate flipping elements, and atarget member having a variable size target opening through whichthegame players attempt to launch the projectiles. The projectilessimulate insects, such as ants, and are fabricated with resilientsupport legs which are adapted to be deformed responsive to applying aforce to the ant body. Upon release of the applied force, the legsquickly resume their original positions and the projectile is flipped orprojected vertically into the air and is also caused to move in ahorizontal direction. The target member comprises a simulated pair orpants having a fabric covering defining the target opening. The fabricmay be drawn together at the pants waist to vary the size of the targetopening.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide targetgame apparatus including a unitary, resilient projectile which may belaunched toward a target opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide target game apparatus forsimultaneous use by a number of game players.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a target device havingan adjustable target opening, for requiring varying degrees of skill inplaying a target game.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent to those versed inthe art upon an understanding of the following detailed description ofthe game apparatus and its rules of play taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the gameapparatus is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target member of the game apparatus ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a projectile of the game apparatusof the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, front elevational cross-sectional view of thetarget member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side, elevational cross-sectional view of the projectileshown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the projectile shown in FIG. 2 andan optional launching pad for use therewith.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the game apparatus ofthe invention generally comprises a target member having a targetopening 12, and a number of unitary projectiles, such as therepresentative projectile 14, adapted for placement on a flat surfaceand suitable for being projected from the surface and through targetopening 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in addition to FIG. 1, target member 10includes a generally rigid frame 16 which may be fabricated of plastic,or other suitable material. Frame 16 defines a hollow cavity 18 forreceiving the projectiles, and is generally formed in the shape of apair of short pants. The frame includes pants legs 20 and 22, a cro'tchportion 24, and a hip area 26 at the top of the frame which defines acircular opening 28. Bottom walls 30 and 32 are provided at the bottomsof legs 20 and 22 respectively, for closing each pants leg opening.

The exterior surface of frame 16 is covered with a stiff, but supple,cloth or fabric material 34, which includes turned up cuffs 36 and 38around each pants leg, and adjacent the bottom walls 30 and 32. Fabric34 extends a substantial distance D above top frame 26, and it issufficiently stiff so that an extending portion 39 is self-supportingwhile the lower portion of the fabric is carried by the frame. An upperend 41 of fabric extended portion 39 terminates approximately at thelocation of an individuals waist, and defines target opening 12.

A plurality of belt loops 42 are provided at upper end 41 of the fabricfor receiving a belt member 44 having a buckle 46 and a number ofspaced-apart buckle holes 48 by which the belt length may be adjusted.By adjusting the belt so that the buckle cooperates with different holes48, that is, by tightening or loosening the belt, the size of targetopening [2 may be decrease or increased respectively. As the belt istightened and the size of the target opening is decreased, fabric 34 atthe waist is gathered or folded so that the total length of fabric maybe accommodated around a smaller circular opening. As shown in brokenlines in FIG. 3, the fabric generally attains a contoured shape toprovide a smaller target opening 12 when the belt has been fullytightened.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4 the projectile 14 includes a central body50, a head 52 at one end of the body, and a tail 54 at the opposite end.The body elements of the target member are shaped to generally simulatean insect such as an ant. The projectile is fabricated of resilientmaterial, such as a resilient plastic, and may be molded or otherwiseconstructed in one piece to form a unitary projectileJts unitaryconstruction, the material of which it may be fabricated, and its simpleshape, allows the projectile to be manufactured quite economically.

The projectile comprises two body halves 53 and 55 which are generallysymmetrical about a center line 56 at the angular intersection of thetwo halves which form an imaginary backbone of the insect. The insectincludes downwardly and outwardly diverging legs 58 and 60, integralwith body 50. The legs extend from the body rearwardly toward tail 54which is supported above a flat projectile supporting surface 59. Theprojectile also includes shoulders 62 extending outwardly from the bodyand located intermediate head 52 and the point along the body whereatlegs 58 and 60 are secured.

As noted above, the projectile is fabricated of resilient material suchas a suitable plastic. Thus, as a downward force is applied to tail 54,legs 58 and 60 are caused to spread apart or diverge along flatsupporting surface 59. Movement of the legs causes distortion of theprojectile and sets up internal stresses in the projectile materialwhich are believed to be concentrated in the legs and in the adjacentsection of backbone 56. Upon quick release of the force, which may beapplied by an index finger of a game player, the resilientcharacteristic of the material causes the legs to quickly resume theiroriginal shape and positions resulting in a quick upward movement of theprojectile. The projectiles inertia, due to the quick upward movement issufiicient to cause it to jump above the supporting surface. Since theforce of the projectile is concentrated at its tail end 54, it will notonly jump vertically but will rotate about its transverse axis and movein a forwardly direction. By properly aiming the projectile, its path ofmove ment may be made to coincide with target opening 12.

Turning now to FIG. 5, if desired, the projectile may be launched from alaunching member 66 formed of a short length of plastic or othermaterial having two walls 68 and 70 intersecting at a right angle. Thelaunching member may be set on the flat surface so that the intersectingwalls define an upper edge upon which the projectile may be supported ata point midway between the head and tail ends. In this position, thelegs of the projectile engage the supporting surface and it may bepropelled as above. By elevating the midportion of the projectile on thelaunching member the projectiles may be oriented and aimed toward thetarget in a more precise manner.

During the play of the game, each player uses four projectiles 50 whichare color identified to facilitate identification of those projectileswhich land in the target. Each player only uses his own projectiles andhe is responsible for retrieving them regardless of where they land inthe game area. A player is only allowed to launch his projectiles bypushing down on the tail with a finger and subsequently releasing it.

The players assemble about the target member, simultaneously launchtheir projectiles toward the target, and attempt to aim them so thatthey fall through opening 12. Each player scores a given number ofpoints for every projectile successfully launched into the targetmember, and each game round terminates upon the first playersuccessfully launching all four of his projectiles into the target. Atthis point, the score is tallied for each player responsive to thenumber of projectiles successfully launched into the target and the beltis tightened one notch in preparation for the next round during whichthe players compete as above. Two additional rounds may be played andthe game player with the highest number of total points is deemed thewinner.

While the game apparatus of the described embodiment utilizes a pair ofpants having an adjustable waist opening and simulated insectprojectiles, the apparatus may assume other embodiments such as a shoeforming a target receptacle wherein the shoe laces reduce the size ofthe show opening.

It is obvious that upon study by those skilled in the art the disclosedinvention may be altered or modified in other manners without departingfrom its inventive concept.

What we claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising: a target member defining a target opening;said target member comprising an upstanding member with its top portiondefining the target opening; and

means cooperating with said top portion for selectively varying the sizeof the target opening; and a resilient projectile of unitaryconstruction adapted to be projected through the target opening by agame player; said projectile being a unitary plastic piece including acentral body portion extending lengthwise of the piece and having a pairof downwardly extending spaced apart legs supporting at least a portionof the body above a support surface; said legs diverging rearwardly andoutwardly from said body and adapted for distortional movement relativeto the body responsive to a downward force applied to the body portionwhereby internal stresses are imparted to said projectile means, saidstresses being quickly relieved upon release of the applied force tothereby effect return movement of the legs and jumping movement of theprojectile relative to the support surface.

2. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top portionof the target member is a supple fabric material defining the targetopening; and the means for varying the size of the target openingcomprises an adjustable belt encircling the fabric material.

3. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said targetmember is generally shaped as a pair of pants, and said means forvarying the size of the target opening comprises a belt encircling thepants at the waist.

1. Game apparatus comprising: a target member defining a target opening;said target member comprising an upstanding member with its top portiondefining the target opening; and means cooperating with said top portionfor selectively varying the size of the target opening; and a resilientprojectile of unitary construction adapted to be projected through thetarget opening by a game player; said projectile being a unitary plasticpiece including a central body portion extending lengthwise of the pieceand having a pair of downwardly extending spaced apart legs supportingat least a portion of the body above a support surface; said legsdiverging rearwardly and outwardly from said body and adapted fordistortional movement relative to the body responsive to a downwardforce applied to the body portion whereby internal stresses are impartedto said projectile means, said stresses being quickly relieved uponrelease of the applied force to thereby effect return movement of thelegs and jumping movement of the projectile relative to the supportsurface.
 2. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said topportion of the target member is a supple fabric material defining thetarget opening; and the means for varying the size of the target openingcomprises an adjustable belt encircling the fabric material.
 3. The gameappAratus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said target member isgenerally shaped as a pair of pants, and said means for varying the sizeof the target opening comprises a belt encircling the pants at thewaist.